In a league of their own

'New experience'

Li Jintian, CEO of the AUBL, said the league was created to fill a gap in the landscape of Asian sports. While campus leagues have been developing rapidly in various countries and regions, there has been no regional competition dedicated to university teams, and little opportunity for international exchange.

"We saw this as both an opportunity and a chance for something remarkable," he said. "Building an international platform for exchange makes a lot of sense. From the fans' perspective, people will also look forward to an annual event where teams can compete and determine the strongest university team in Asia."

This year's tournament showcased intense matchups and diverse styles.

"It's a clash between universities, but it also reflects each school's culture, which makes it wonderfully diverse," Li said. "The level of play was also very high — many of these student-athletes may one day enter professional leagues."

Ticket sales were strong, and many young families attended. "Our audience spans all ages who love basketball," Li said.

Hangzhou was chosen as the host city for the first edition because its international influence and economic vitality provided fertile ground for a new league, according to Li. The venue's size and location were also well suited for the competition, and players heaped praise on the facilities.

Sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation, this year's AUBL was a seven-day tournament format. In 2026, the league will transition to a full home-and-away season spanning six months, culminating in a Final Four championship.

"I hope this tournament will one day become a symbol of Asian basketball culture," Li said. "It should represent passion and purity — a platform for high-level competition and exchange."

The intensity didn't stop at the court, either.

Music, lighting, giant screens and a vibrant cheerleading squad transformed the venue into a full cultural showcase. "Our theme is a stage for the youth — both on and off the court, we want to present the trends and culture of young people today," Li said.

Among the cheerleaders was Chen Yushan, a PhD student in new energy materials at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

In a lab coat, she conducts experiments; on the court, she leads the cheers with infectious energy.

Dancing has always been her outlet for stress. "Most of our team members are students. We started training over two months ago in order to deliver our best performance," she said.

Her school's team was knocked out in the semifinal, but she still cheered for them. "Watching from the sidelines was so exciting. The players' energy was infectious," she said. "Being both a spectator and a participant at the same time was a whole new experience."

Away from the arena, players explored Hangzhou — some strolled around West Lake, others watched the Binjiang night lights.

Rivals became friends, sharing their passion for the sport, creating unforgettable summer memories and writing a new chapter for Asian university basketball.

liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn